* '''Ventana Wilderness''', Big Sur Ranger Station (3 miles south of Big Sur Village), 831-667-2315. The wilderness covers 167,323 square acres. Within the wilderness area alone there are 237 miles of trails and 55 designated camping areas.

* '''Ventana Wilderness''', Big Sur Ranger Station (3 miles south of Big Sur Village), 831-667-2315. The wilderness covers 167,323 square acres. Within the wilderness area alone there are 237 miles of trails and 55 designated camping areas.

Revision as of 06:15, 31 August 2009

McWay Falls, Highway 1, Big Sur, California, USA

Big Sur [1], on the Central Coast of California, contains vast wildernesses and breathtaking views as it stretches 90 miles along the rugged Pacific Ocean in the Central Coast region of California. It is approximately 150 miles south of San Francisco and 300 miles north of Los Angeles. The area is great for outdoor recreationists and contains several state parks, two national wilderness areas and is part of the Los Padres National Forest, all of which include hiking trails. The most common visitors to Big Sur are those just driving through to enjoy the scenery. The next most common activity is Hiking/Backpacking in the open natural spaces of Big Sur.

California Highway 1 (also known as Pacific Coast Highway) winds through Big Sur flanked by the steep Santa Lucia Mountains to the east and the rocky Pacific Coast to the west. Big Sur begins just south of Carmel and continues south through the small towns of Big Sur, Lucia, and Gorda. It ends in San Simeon (where the Hearst Castle is located). When driving on Highway 1 through Big Sur be sure to stop at the many turnouts and vista points to see the beauty of the area.

Big Sur is also known as a destination for the "Merry Pranksters" in the 1960s.

Contents

Get in

Big Sur is a remote area accessible only via Highway 1. The easiest and most common way to get there is by car, though some enthusiastic adventurers can be seen riding bicycles to the area along the highway as well.

From San Francisco take US-101 south to CA-156 west which merges with Highway 1 20 miles from the beginning of the Big Sur area. Approximately 125 miles and 2-3 hour drive.

From Los Angeles take US-101 north and exit onto Highway 1 toward Morro Bay/Hearst Castle which is 45 miles south of the end of Big Sur. Approximately 250 miles and 4-5 hour drive.

Monterey-Salinas TransitRoute 22 bus runs from Monterey to Big Sur. It runs seven days a week Memorial Day to Labor Day, and weekends only Labor Day to Memorial Day. Be sure to call during winter and spring months, as inclement weather and high winds may cause the bus to be canceled. 888-678-2871, [2].

Get around

There is one public bus that goes through Big Sur, the Monterey-Salinas Transit Route 22. The bus route is active daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day and weekends only the rest of the year. It goes from downtown Monterey to Big Sur and back four times a day, stopping at several state parks, the Big Sur River Inn, and Nepenthe. During the winter and spring, the bus is sometimes canceled due to bad weather.

Private driving along Highway 1 is the most common mode of transportation.

Bicycling along Highway 1 is also popular, though challenging.

Much of the interior areas of the region are only accessible via hiking.

For more information about Big Sur visit the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce. [3]. The Big Sur Chamber of Commerce is continually updated with a Calendar of Events page.

Point Sur Lighthouse, 5 miles north of Big Sur Village, [5]. Point Sur is a dominate feature along Highway 1. It is a National Historic Landmark and is one of the only complete turn-of-the-century light stations open to the public in California. Allegedly one of the most haunted places in America. Spectacular views can be had from atop Point Sur. Tours (3 hours) are offered, check website for times. $8 adult, $4 children.

McWay Falls, 12 miles south of Big Sur Village. One of the most spectacular places anywhere in Big Sur. There is a hike out to a view point but it can also be seen from the road just before Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

New Camaldoli Hermitage, located in Lucia off Highway 1 (25 miles south of Big Sur village), 831-667-2456, [6]. Monastery offering guided retreats, also sells gifts and food items.

Do

Hiking/Backpacking - The Big Sur area offers over 80 unique day hikes. Difficultly, length, and location can vary greatly. There are hikes to beaches and vistas along the coast, there are hikes along rivers and through canyons, and there are hikes through redwood forests in the Santa Lucia Mts. For longer and more remote adventures backpacking is an option. There are hundreds of miles of trails through the region, particularly the Ventana Wilderness. (Be certain to be prepared and know what you are doing before going backpacking in the Wilderness.) More information can be found at the Big Sur Ranger Station located 3 miles south of Big Sur Village, 831-667-2315.

NOTE: Always check conditions before hiking or backpacking! Hiking areas in Big Sur can be closed down in winter due to mudslides. Know before you go.

Beaches - Remote and pristine beaches are accessible to the public as well in Big Sur. Andrew Molera State Park, Pfeiffer Beach, and Sand Dollar Beach are the most common beaches visited by the public.

Andrew Molera State Park, less than 1 mile north of Big Sur Village, 831-667-2315, [7]. Miles of trails, beaches, and meadows. Also has 24 primitive camp sites (first come first serve).

Hunt for Jade, beaches south of Big Sur Village. Jade is a common semi-precious stone found on the beaches in the Big Sur region.

Pfeiffer Beach, 2.5 miles south of Big Sur Village turn west on Sycamore Canyon Rd (unmarked road, only paved and non-gated road to the west in the area). Great sunsets and a fun beach. If you are heading south on Pacific Route 1, the key to finding this beach is to look for the yellow sign - "NARROW ROAD No RVs - Trailers"

Point Lobos State Reserve, 24 miles north of Big Sur Village (just south of Carmel), 831-624-4909, [9]. Well managed and developed recreation area offering many hikes, beaches, coves and points. Also offers SCUBA by permit only. Often referred to as the crown jewel of the State Park System. $8 per car.

Sand Dollar Beach, 35 miles south of Big Sur Village (across Highway 1 from Plaskett Creek Campground, stairs lead to the beach). Largest expanse of sand in Big Sur and also well protected from wind.

Ventana Wilderness, Big Sur Ranger Station (3 miles south of Big Sur Village), 831-667-2315. The wilderness covers 167,323 square acres. Within the wilderness area alone there are 237 miles of trails and 55 designated camping areas.

Drink

Fernwood Resort, just north of Big Sur Village, 831-667-2422, [35]. Cabins, tents, RV's, all allowed but with limited availability. Also has a bar and grill as well as other resort amenities.

The Maiden Publick House, next to Big Sur River Inn in the Village Center Shops, 831-667-2355. Classic affordable pub with food and drinks.

Sleep

The two main options for sleeping in Big Sur are either camping or staying in a hotel/resort. Some locations have both options provided. Camping is popular in Big Sur and there are many small campgrounds through the region that are not listed below but can be found along Highway 1.

Big Sur Campground and Cabins, 47000 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920 (just north of Big Sur Village), 831-667-2322, [36]. Accommodations include campsites, tent-cabins and rustic cabins, all beneath giant redwoods and beside the Big Sur river. There is great swimming in the river and hiking is close by. Kids can ride inner-tubes or rubber boats down the river and a short 3 mile drive either north or south will get you to beautiful beaches (Pfieffer to the south and Molera to the north.)

Limekiln State Park, Highway 1, 831-667-2403, [42]. Gorgeous campsites along a creek that runs into the ocean. Sites on the beach and under the redwoods. There are a few small hikes to the historic limekilns and a significant waterfall (be prepared to cross the creek a few times to get to the waterfall, but it's so worth it in the spring).

Ventana Inn & Spa, 28 miles south of Carmel, 831-667-2331 or 800-628-6500, [49]. Ultra-luxurious resort with all possible amentias including pools, hot tubs, sauna, restaurant, bar, and of course great views.

Kirk creek campground. Just south of Lucia and Limekiln SP. All campsites are located on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. There are few trees (much warmer than under the redwoods!) and the sites are on well kept grass. Amazing sunsets and decent bathrooms. There are a few nice short trails leading down to the beach.

Get out

To continue a trip going north on Highway 1 be sure to stop by Carmel and Monterey.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!